Final, Part 2 Masters Snooker

# Thinking back on my younger years # When it was fairy tales and

childhood schemes # I remember watching my father

play, he was the hero of all of my dreams

# I said, daddy, I want to be a working man

# Daddy, I want to be the best I can.

# He said, keep your eye on the prize

# Keep your eye on the prize # You find there's a light, and it

shines for you... # Good evening, since 1975, the

Dafabet Masters has seen London calling the greatest snooker players

in the world. 1500 people have crammed into Alexandra Palace this

evening to watch the final session of the final match of 2014. They

will watch the defending champion, Mark Selby, take on the reigning

world champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan. The Rocket has, at times, looked

unplayable in a mesmerising journey to this point. But Selby's nerve has

been tested from the start and it sure will be again tonight.

He had to work his socks off, and Mark Selby goes through to the

quarterfinal, winning six -. What a reception for the reigning world

champion. Absolutely amazing. He was 5-3

down. He has battled his way back. He beats John Higgins 6-5.

This really is snigger from -- snooker from the gods. He seems to

be questioning the score. They reduced Mark's score!

You have got the perfect picture. He runs out a comfortable win aimed in

the end, gets into his 10th final at the Masters, 6-2.

Well, they don't come much better than that.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, absolutely brilliant. 4-0.

He has got one on the board, but he still trails 5-1.

Well, that is a terrific pot. He now leads 6-1.

It has been vintage Ronnie O'Sullivan. One more time, he takes

the session 7-1. For Mark Selby, the loss of a frame

on a respotted black on a frame he should have one could have ended all

hope of his fourth Masters title. Ronnie O'Sullivan made difficult

work of a -- easy were quite difficult opponent. He has looked

relaxed and confident, a dangerous concoction for his opponents. But if

there is one person that can show the grit, determination and tenacity

to put that behind them, it is Mark Selby. Ronnie O'Sullivan has earned

the luxury of coasting to victory, even sharing the frames would be

more than enough. Mission impossible? Or is there a sting in

the tail? Please welcome The Rocket, Ronnie

O'Sullivan. MUSIC: "A Man Should Better Himself"

by George Lam. His opponent, ladies and gentlemen,

Mark Selby! His walk on music is The Underdog,

and never has it been more appropriate. Hold on, we have

enjoyed many a comeback on these occasions. Is the Brinkman up for

the fight tonight? Let's find out with Ken Doherty and John Virgo.

No need to tell you what the atmosphere is like here. It is

absolutely electric. Is there any way back? Well, he has

got a huge mountain to climb, no doubt about that. I'll tell you one

thing, he is never going to give up, that's for sure. That is one quality

Mark Selby does not have, he will give it everything, 100 cents. He

will never throw in the town. -- 100%. But he is up against a man who

is probably playing some of the best snooker we have ever seen at the

Masters. He has been absolutely awesome.

He played an aggressive safety shot. That is OK, but once you catch a

baulk colour in the face, you are going to need a pot one. He has left

Ronnie with a choice of rents. He may play the red to the right

corner. -- red is. That cue ball has got to stop short

of the baulk line, otherwise nothing. Good pot, or just settle

for the snooker. A few people have been asking, if

this is for the top 16 players in the world, why is Ronnie, ranked 24,

in the tournament? Because he is the world champion, and every other

tournament the world champion is seeded two, apart from the World

Championship, and that is why he is here.

He's got a really tough situation here. The red he would like to

nestle on is the one that is closest to the right-hand corner pocket.

That was the problem, when he played that aggressive safety, he opened

all of the reds. He will do well not to leave a pot on.

Great escape, but he left a pot on. Just a little bit too much pace,

wasn't it? A chance for Ronnie O'Sullivan.

We know that the black goes into the left corner.

Wouldn't play for the black unless he was certain to get on it. He's

got the pink and the blue on its spot.

I'm not sure after he puts this red in, will the pink go into the corner

pocket? That shot tells us that it does.

Some of the snooker he has played this week has been absolutely

incredible. His cue action, everything seems to be totally in

sync. He seems very composed. Very, very focused.

There have been times during the tournament when he has been

practically unplayable. Nobody could have tested him. It is not just his

potting and breaking, he's got an all-round game.

That little rub off the blue just helped slightly.

He would love to pot the blue, but he can't because the top cushion was

in the way. He may play for the black. If he

gets anywhere close to the red on the top cushion, he will be able to

drop the black in and get it on its own spot.

He has left this a little bit awkward.

Just come around the bottom red from the three reds in line. The pink,

that one must pot. That will release the one just above

it. He knew he had a job on his hands

when he came out, but it's getting harder, because you don't expect

Ronnie to slip up from here. Just this red would be enough to

leave Mark Selby needing a snooker. He had a kick, not perfect on the

black, but 61 in front with 59 remaining.

I suppose the only thing that has been lacking is he has not made a

century break yet in this match. Well, he has a greater chance here.

It really is a sublime snooker. There is no doubt about it. It is

the way he goes around, to build the break, it looks so ridiculously

easy. If this red goes in, it would be

nice to see the century. That was impressive. Mark Selby, he

will be sat there admiring this, believe it or not. Ronnie O'Sullivan

stretches further clear. 8-1. Any fleeting hopes of eight comeback

look rather fanciful now, do they not? I think the writing has been

there, arguably, since the start of the tournament. From the moment that

Mark Selby played some pretty wayward opening pots in the first

frame, he has been on the back foot ever since. Ronnie O'Sullivan is in

imperious form. Can you describe the standard of what we are seeing in

career terms? We haven't seen this terribly often. Probably as good as

ever, it has been constant throughout the tournament, not just

fits and starts. The 6-0 against Walden is the best snooker I've seen

in a long time. This today is just magnificent. There has obviously

been a message he wants to send to Mark Selby today. I think he has

been tuned in from ball one. I know you have me a few times in final

frame deciders, but this is what the score should be. The most emphatic

victory in Masters history was this man, Steve Davis, in 1988. Can you

describe what that feeling was like, it didn't seen anything was

going to go wrong? Quite amazing. You do feel on top of the world. You

feel like the centre of attention, like the other guy does not exist.

It is all about you. We are all bullies. Snooker players become

bullies, even if they are not to start with. When it goes your way,

it's a great feeling. Ronnie O'Sullivan is in the right frame of

mind to say that. There I say it, he is maturing, as a player. Mentally,

I think he is stronger. At the World Championship last year, he was, I

think he is stronger as a player than he has ever been. He said that

since working with sports psychiatrist Steve Peters, he feels

better equipped to cope with whatever Selby could throw at him?

The two or three frames that went awkward, more tactical, he won those

as well. Apart from the fact he is the most talented, pots the balls

and makes it look easy, he is putting it all in as well, a little

accommodation. If Ronnie can get past the yellow

and play it into the right middle, and I know he can, and easy starter.

Played on the blue, just a little bit too hard.

We will soon find out if the black pots into the left-hand corner

pocket. He would love to get rid of the red. Maybe try and get onto the

top cushion. He certainly brings people out, does

Ronnie. Just the way he plays, as you said, the way he does it, the

style and panache. He is box office, snooker's

talisman, without a shadow of a doubt.

Just getting the cue ball cleaned, probably a bit of chalk on it. He

may screw back for the blue, here. It looks a little bit straight, this

red, to get back on the black. He has got a lovely angle on the

black. That was an excellent shot. Perfect to go into the pack, now.

The action he got on the cue ball, he has not left himself an easy

point. He needed a good pot. Mark Selby get a chance. He's got to

take it. He is going to have to dig a very,

very deep here. He has not had a lot of table time, he has been a bit

part player in this match. That makes it that little bit more

difficult. He has just about got the angle on

the blue that he requires. He missed the cannon on the two

reds. He tried to bring them into play.

Unfortunately for Mark, he has knocked a red closer to the

left-hand side cushion. That is going to be a little bit of a

problem, down the line. When he tries to pot this red, he

may try to take that red off the side cushion, if he wishes, because

he will be off the pink into the centre. It depends what angle he has

here. Good pot. Obviously didn't feel he

has the right angle to bring that red back into play.

Once again, he was trying to get the cannon. He played it at such a pace

that he knew that if he didn't get the cannon, he would still be on for

this one. They are always tricky, particularly

when you are playing with a bit of pace. But it is safe and he is back

in the frame, just five points behind.

They misjudged shot. What is worse for Mark Selby is that he has

wrought the safe red into play. -- brought.

As we see, a wonderful crowd tonight. And, of course, all week,

in the Alexander Palace. Fantastic atmosphere. I am sure John Day would

like to see a few more frames. I know that Ronnie is the big

favourite among the crowd, but they would like to see Mark Selby get a

view frames on the board, they want to see some more snooker tonight. I

am sure that they do. Great turnout this week.

I think the most awkward red is the one near the right-hand cushion.

He is nicely on this red. The pink will go on the blue spot.

Anything above the yellow and this will be snookers required.

Would you believe it? Would you believe it? Just took his eye off

the ball. He will be kicking himself.

I can't believe that, as you said, just took his eye off the ball. Look

where the brown has ended up, over the middle pocket. One good

positional shot and Ronnie will be absolutely kicking itself.

A lot of right-hand side to check it. He finished absolutely perfect.

When you are behind like this, you always say you need a bit of help

from your opponent. Boy, did he get some help. What a gift. Just needs

to get the right side of the pink. Couldn't do it. He's going to have

to judge it now. In and out of baulk.

He didn't want to catch the bumper. OK, played it well.

Would you believe it? This shows you the pressure.

Would you believe it? The Jester has thrown his arms in the air. Another

gift. The crowd enjoyed that one, Ronnie

O'Sullivan will not. Mark Selby gratefully accepted that gift from

Ronnie O'Sullivan but he still trails by six frames.

Macro Hazel there is tension in the air tonight.

Who would ever know Ronnie O'Sullivan would Mr brown. Daschle

would miss the brown. We always say if you hit the front

jaw there is a good chance it will not go in. He will be kicking

himself. He just wants to get this over with. When he played the

brown, he struck it, he played positively, correctly, he struck it

well, he knows he didn't strike it that well because he missed the line

but struck it positively. He just missed it. The look of shock on his

face. He has failed to clear up. From Mark

Selby's position he will not be happy with himself he has taken

another couple of shots to get the Blackdown.

Selby is going to receive a fair bit of crowd support. They really want

to see some snooker tonight. They don't want Ronnie to run away with

this, they want to see a comeback. Miles to early to be saying there is

a comeback but funnier things have happened. For those who are fans of

the big comeback, looking through the records, Stephen Hendry was 8-2

down, and came back and it has been done. You fancy against a man like

on it is an open in this kind of form it is just too tough a task.

Bash like Ronnie O'Sullivan. The best Mark Selby will be able to do

is share frames, which is not good enough.

Enough. What will he feel went wrong initially in the early stages? The

very first few chances he got he didn't quite make anything of them.

He put himself right behind. Ever since then it has been a struggle.

I would suggest a slightly annoyed Ronnie O'Sullivan walking off there.

How he missed the brown, I don't know. Mark Selby missing the black

of the spot. When you think about comebacks you

have got to look at the guy behind to see if he is playing well enough.

He has got to go on a run. Maybe he thought there was a chance

of it going in, did you spot a plan? Dash did he spot a plant?

I know he did come around to look at the pack before he played that shot.

Going back to your point, we have seen great comebacks in the past.

Talking about Mark Selby, can he get a string of frames. He has to rely

on Ronnie and his form to date. It will be hard to see that.

You never know with comebacks, you take each frame at a time. Every

great journey began with a single step.

He gifted that last frame to Mark Selby.

The brown is covering the path to the red on the right-hand side.

He may be forced into having a go at the long red.

He missed quite a few of these in the earlier session today. Wasn't a

great margin of error. Amazing how much you see them bounce

about on the table. Right in the middle of the pocket,

great shot. If you can get cue ball on the top

cushion there are a couple of rats to go for. -- reds.

That is a wonderful shot. The green is not on the spot. Ronnie will be

hoping it doesn't go on the green spot.

When he played the cannon on the two reds he was hoping to leave the

black spot clear. The black is completely out of

commission. He would have loved it to come down

the table just another couple of inches.

If he is straight on that red to the left corner, he needs some shot

here. It was always going to be a

difficult table to make any sizeable break, even for the great man.

Knocking the red over the right centre certainly helped his cause.

He has got the same problem Ronnie had when he was at the table.

That is not great, I am not sure he can make that cannon now.

He forced it down, that is an excellent result. He used all the

power there. He is straight on the blue. He

cannot get close to his next red. Normally you would expect him to

knock this in but he missed a black off the spot.

He would have liked to be closer to this red, then it would have been

unmissable. When he puts this pink it will still

be tied up, unless he can pop the pink and screw into those two reds.

He is on the red into the right centre, if he wishes.

That pink has put him for points in front. These remaining reds will be

enough to win the frame. He may have to play that pink in the

far left corner. This is great stuff from Mark Selby.

This is his highest break of the match. His previous was 37.

He is on his way to winning this one.

If he wins this frame he will take us past the mid-session interval.

This red now to go 32 points in front, with 27 remaining. No

heroics, make certain of the red. Well played.

Excellence, he has shown a lot of courage for stop the crowd are

delighted. Ronnie gifted Mark Selby the last

frame, he didn't gift him that one. An excellent break. Highest of the

match, just at the right time, and now he is within five frames. We

talk about comebacks and the way one it was playing it was highly

unlikely. Ash Ronnie. Here is the brown. He just took his

eye off. He could have run through of the side cushion, decided to

screw back, make the short a little bit more difficult. Lost a bit of

focus. It was understandable at times.

The way he was going about the match, he looked as though he really

wanted to win as easy as he could and give Mark Selby a good beating,

if you like. He has given Mark Selby a bit of a boost.

Mark Selby breaks off. Five frames behind.

He is going to have to do it over and over again. He is a tough

competitor, he will not be giving in.

Just a little bit pacey. If you get it tight to the cushion you limit

your opponent's options. There is a chance of a pot here for

Mark Selby. He has got to start knocking these in.

Just not consistent enough for those long pots in the match.

Only thought if he dropped the black in he could get to the red closest.

He can screw up for the blue. He has a couple of reds to go at.

If the Black had been available into both corner pockets, it would have

had value in Canning into the cluster. Dash

little bit more angle on this black would have been better.

Good line, terrific shot. Has he been unlucky? He may have been. That

red doesn't pass the pink to the right middle. What else is left? If

it had gone in-off the blue there would have been a lot more pace.

The path is much more difficult on the right-hand side fought the

opponent to safety. He wants to block the reds on the left-hand side

of the pink. That is what he has done.

He has got to be careful, this is tricky.

That was a good line. I think he will settle for that.

There was always a chance he would run into something else. That is

what he was aware of, rather than go all out for the pot. Just a little

grimace from Roddy as he went back to his chair. -- Ronnie.

Just playing across double safety. Looks like a decent length for the

cue ball. That looks pretty close, it looks

like he has covered it. He is looking at the three-ball

plant and maybe play it as a shot. During the week he would look at

this red in open play and play it as a long pots, but today his long pots

has been very poor. Well played, excellent shot. He has

missed the case on the green. It just didn't look on, went off the

right jaw. This is a decent chance. He came to the table 30 points

behind. OK, the black is tied up, the red

next to it is tied up, but he can win this frame without them.

He will just have to concentrate on blue and pink. The only problem with

the blue is getting on the right side of it. He just went a little

bit too far. He's doing the maths in his mind. He

knows it is two reds, two pinks. He will possibly need that red next

to the black. But the four reds to the right of the pink, the top one

does pot into the right-hand pocket. That is the one he has played for.

Once he pots this, it will release another one into the opposite corner

pocket. The red beside the black, you would

have to say that Ronnie's only saving grace is that at the moment.

Well, I say that. But, again, well, you can't believe it.

He was concentrating so much on position, just like Ronnie

O'Sullivan a couple of frames ago, on the brown. A glance at the

scoreboard. Ronnie knows that he needs that red that is tied up.

It is not a straightforward run to the line. He has only just about got

the angle on the blue. He cued it lovely. He doesn't want

it to bounce off the cushion too much. Dutiful shot. -- a beautiful

shot. These two reds and two blues will

only put him 35 in front. This time, the wrong side of the blue.

He will be looking to pot this red and get a nice angle on the colour,

to try and bring the last red into play.

Well, if you are straight on the blue, he will not be doing it on the

blue, then I don't think he will be doing it.

I am just wondering, if he can get the cue ball somewhere on the top

cushion, just somewhere we owned the blackspot, he's going to be playing

the blue left-handed. Obviously not, because that is where he wants the

position of the cue ball. But he does not want to bring this

black and pink into play, he has a 31.2 lead. -- a 31 point lead.

So, back to his seat. 31 points is the lead, 35 remaining. But with

that pink and black tied up, it is highly unlikely, the way that they

are at the moment, that he can win the frame in one visit.

If he got a chance at this last red, the blue would be OK. He could

win with red and blue or red and brown. But he has misjudged that.

Now, 32 points is believed, 27 remaining. -- is the lead.

A clever little shot, made it as awkward as possible for Mark Selby.

You always seem to get it when you don't need it. Surely this has

finished the frame off for Mark Selby. There is a mid-session

interval coming up. It was a big frame, you felt, for Mark Selby. If

only he could keep Ronnie O'Sullivan within two of the ten frames

required, he could hold out a bit of hope. Now Ronnie is just one frame

away from victory. It's going to be very difficult.

Well, that will be enough. At least Mark Selby goes to the mid-session

interval. But Ronnie O'Sullivan is just one frame away from claiming

the Dafabet Masters title. Tell of the unexpected at Alexander

Palace. I think many people in the audience did not think we would get

an interval, but we do have one. It could have been a little bit closer

had Mark Selby not missed that pink, that was the key all? He looked like

he was in amongst the balls. He called it a fraction thick. You are

so used to seeing those balls never missed at this level, when you do

see them, it is a shock. Effectively, chance missed to get a

sizeable lead. It looked as though he had finally found a bit of

fluency in the last couple of frames? I was thinking he might have

had a chance, 8-4, you are still very much in the game. I agree with

what they said in a commentary. Well you have two frames to win, and not

the one, there is that little bit of doubt. You know what Selby is like

for fighting back, but I think this is too far now. Stranger things have

happened. Is it about respectability from here on in from Selby's

perspective? No, not now. When you go in and there is that much of a

lead that the other guys have got, he knows that he just goes out and

plays the balls. I think you will be disappointed enough in the day so

far that it's not going to make much difference one way or another. He

will not lose hope, he will go out, frame at a time, see what happens.

But it is just see what happens. This is not panning out the way many

of us had expected, I think many people expected a much closer match.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, so far, has been in imperious style. This is the 40th

playing of the Masters and this event has been illuminating our

cold, dark, January nights since 1975.

The Masters is part of the Triple Crown and is celebrating its 40th

year this year. As always, it is an exclusive London party that is by

invitation only. Can I come in? Sorry, if your name

isn't down, you are not coming in. Who is going to pull this out of the

bag? John Spencer was our first master, defeating Ray Reardon in a

black ball finish in 1975. Setting a precedent for nail-biting drama and

tension that has been repeated time and time again. The following year,

it moved to the relaying, before transferring, in 1979, to the

Wembley conference Centre, a venue we can all agree was one of the

finest we have ever played in. A wonderful setting for a wonderful

tournament. It was fabulous, incredible. Brilliant. Absolutely

magic. Lots of flowers on the side, always made it look pretty. One day,

a giant wasp came out, I thought, please don't show me on ITV running

away from this wasp. A complete circle. The one table setup. The

atmosphere, especially at a final, a semifinal or if you played Jimmy, it

was just crazy. I got a lot of huge support from the audience. Like

Ronnie O'Sullivan does. I think it is because of the way we played

again, you know? The Conference Centre was one of the best venues

ever. Those early years were memorable for the colourful

characters and costumes as, each year, a new master was crowned. Nine

different champions in the first ten years. The only man to win it twice

was Alex Higgins. In 84, a semifinal for the ages. This is where he wants

a little bounce off the cushion. And a maximum. Get in! Lovely! Super!

That was a very special match. His brilliant 147, I potting way few

flair shots that went in. Jimmy eventually won the match and, the

next day, claimed his only Masters title, playing a brand of snooker

that had never been seen before. What a statement. Just fantabulous.

Until Ding Junhui, he remained in the 147 maximum, although others

have come agonisingly close. Oh, the disappointment! It is

probably one of the only times in snooker you are thinking about the

prize, at the start of the break, you are thinking about a maximum.

The yellow sports car is always out in the foyer. It is always in the

back of your mind, the prize. It's the only time in snooker that you

think of material things. It still gives me nightmares. I

think it's almost enough to drive a man to drink. In 1986, we had the

first man to win back-to-back titles. In 1987, the first of what

was to become a masterstroke. Dennis Taylor, like a Phoenix rising from

the ashes. I was 8-5 down. I just heard his manager ordering champagne

to celebrate Alex winning his first title for two years. He probably

would have won that, if I hadn't heard that. I came back into the

arena and it just put that bit of fire in your belly, that killer

instinct. There must be a little leprechaun in

that pocket, to keep the cue ball out. The atmosphere in the last

frame was incredible, I managed to beat Alex in the deciding frame and

it is one of the greatest wins of my career. When the players still posed

for the cameras, the first and still only whitewash in a final, Steve

Davis defeated Mike Hallett. We will look at the Hendry dynasty

now, as surely never to be repeated of success. Stephen Hendry, the new

Masters champion, the youngest champion ever. 21-year-old Stephen

Hendry. I keep thinking, on the law of

averages, I'm going to get beat. He gets to keep the trophy. I've been

given a major trophy to keep, so that's great times. With the Masters

being the top players in the world, I always felt I had to prove I was

the best player in the world. The World Championship was your first in

every season, but the Masters was always the second for me, even above

the UK, because it was a chance to prove I was the best player in the

world against the other 15 guys. I was the red-hot favourite, the world

number one, so it was a shock to the system to be 7-0 down. You just

sensed a bit of agitation and desperation about him, I just

thought, one frame at a time. I must admit, it looks as if he is fated to

lose this final. When I won it, I showed a bit more emotion than I

usually do. That's a great comeback. 7-0, 8-2,

he was within two pots of winning 9-2, but Stephen Hendry, world

champion that he is, hung on and has won 9-8. I was the number one player

in the world and those were the tournaments that I felt belonged to

be. Yeah, I just went down expecting to win every year, it was a nice

feeling. 1995, for the first time in seven years there was not somebody

call Stephen Hendry in the final. Instead, two young man embarking on

a rivalry that has lasted for the best part of 20 years. Personally, I

thought John was the best all-round player, and I still do. But I just

thought he was going to go and do a Stephen Hendry. This was the first

of three and secular finals for The Rocket, although he would be beaten

the following year by Hendry, and then in a final that is always

remembered for this. The streaker? Yes, I remember that. Crazy. Yeah,

interesting. 8-4 up, didn't miss a ball for four frames, I thought,

lovely, I thought I had won it. Then I came out and he played brilliant.

I thought, what is going on here? It just throws me out. 1998 was the

year of the famous respotted black. Have you got over it yet, Stephen?

That is in. Is it? No! It didn't feel like a violent twitch, when it

left the tip of my cue. It felt all right comedy action. But obviously I

managed to sneak a little bit of side on it, I polled the white

across and it. I think the less we talk about that the better. We will

draw a veil over the next few years, that is me sat in my chair, and that

is John after beating me 10-8. That is Matthew Stevens winning in 2000,

after my 147. 2001, the arrival of the comeback kid, Paul Hunter. That

was the year of planned B. He returned after the break

rejuvenated. Two successive centuries. That has put the audience

on its feet and to life. Four centuries in six frames to

eventually win 10-9. The following year in the final, he

took the Welshman to a 5-0 lead, before coming back to win. Two years

later, he trailed Ronnie by 7-2 before winning that one in the

decider. What a remarkable, brave, courageous performance, as he wins

his third Masters title, once again, by 10-9. I think he was inspired by

the crowd, the prestige of the event. You know, he beat me fair and

square. For him, the scoreline is irrelevant, really. He kept playing

the same way, 5-0 up, 5-0 down, a great way to play. There followed

two consecutive finals between them, the first was a romp for The Rocket.

In position for the pink. And now just the black to put the seal on a

superb performance. Well played, Ronnie O'Sullivan. The second was a

massacre. The adrenaline is running, the matches on a knife

edge. If you ask me, I don't know how it

went in. I remember one ball was on the edge, it dropped and I thought,

well... John is the kind of player that would clear up under that

extreme pressure. And he did. I had a tricky double. The double was not

the shot, it was not like a straight double. I decided, with a red

falling in like that, maybe it was fate, and I took the double on. In

2007, the walls of the conference centre came tumbling down and the

masses moved next door into the vast arena. There was nowhere to hide for

a young Ding Junhui, demolished in the final by Ronnie. Ireland are

feeling for him, a young boy, from another country, it can be a lonely

place. Human nature, instant comes out that you want to care for him.

-- instinct comes out. I really like Ding a lot, I've met his family and

stuff like that. It was more important for me that he was OK and

winning that title. Snooker doesn't mean nothing when I see that

happening to him. But if Ronnie became a little bit sympathetic

towards him, he was about to be embroiled in another classic rivalry

that had a little bit more spice. McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, O'Sullivan

and Selby. Mark Selby was already a Masters champion when they met in

the 2009 final. Ronnie emerged victorious, but the following year

The Jester would get his revenge. The double to clinch this year's

Masters. Right in the middle of the pocket. I call him The Torturer. He

has tortured a few opponents. It has been nice watching him go through it

as well, because a lot of people will be critical, think, Ronnie has

been cracked up, until you play somebody like Mark and go through

it, you don't really realise what is going on out there sometimes. Ronnie

has got his opinion. Obviously he is a fantastic player but not everybody

is as naturally gifted as him. Everybody has his own style, this

seems to be my style. It is still working, but I'm not going to change

it. This is a tournament that has had it all. Is it any surprise it is

loved by fans and players alike? Year is to the next 40. -- here is

to the next 40. # How long will I need you?

# As long as the seasons need to # Follow that plan

# How long will I be with you? # As long as the sea is bound to.

# How long will I love you? # As long as stars are above you. #

Paul Hunter will always be synonymous with the Masters. This

event has such a cachet. Our exclusive is it and how much of a

thrill must it be to win it? I ask that of you who has been in three

losing finals. When we were watching that of ET, you kept seeing Stephen

up, I was in the other chair. It's an unbelievable event. You want to

be in the top 15 to play here. Only the cream playing this event. If you

win it, you are the best player in the world. A fantastic tournament.

After watching that, the great matches, the one we have seen, my

one abiding memory is my pal, Ken Doherty, missing that black off the

spot. I am still sick for him now. We used to walk in the foyer and see

that wonderful sports car sitting there, thinking, wouldn't it be

great for somebody to get into that and drive away? I still feel sorry

for him. He still takes it with such great humour. What would be your

abiding memory of this tournament? Not my own memories, of matches,

obviously the streaker, Ronnie O'Sullivan, my last win, the memory

would be the guy we last saw the trophy holding up. Paul Hunter. He

summed up the best of the Masters, the best players putting their wits.

For him to win three times, amazing. On a lighter note, to see Mark

Williams in tears, I didn't know he had tears in Heaven. There were

specialists of the event, and here are another two. It could be title

number 54 Ronnie O'Sullivan. He is just one frame away. Selby is

hanging on by his fingertips. We have a change in the commentary

box, we welcome Stephen Hendry and Dennis Taylor, who might not have

thought they were going to get on air tonight. All yours.

At one stage it didn't look like we were going to get to the mid-session

interval. REFEREE: Can we get security,

please? Back row. The crowds have been terrific so far. There is just

one that could do with stopping shouting. He will have to go out. We

don't mind them getting involved. REFEREE: The guy with the cap.

I would maybe give him a warning? Well, I just got a glimpse of him.

He is on a mobile phone as well. As they say, there is always warm.

But the crowds have been superb all week. They really have.

We have had some fabulous safety from both of these players. There is

very little to separate between them.

It is an awful long way back. But you just never know.

There are two legends die. Ronnie Wood and Jimmy White. Still playing

on the circuit. I will not mention that victory we had against Steve

Davis. Just off straight. That has been one

of his strengths. He will be disappointed he hasn't

performed on this occasion. Not sure what that was, but Mark

still smiling. Just didn't have the Angola. Dash

have the angle there. There were some wonderful memories

in that piece there. The black is covering the one over

the right middle pocket. Just cannot afford to make a mistake, Mark

Selby. Otherwise it is all over. He may be able to play one of these

reds. It has got a little awkward now. The

safety zone is behind the black and tight to the cushion.

As long as he covers the one over the right middle pocket he is OK.

Couldn't risk getting in behind the block.

Ronnie might attempt some sort of a plant of the light red of the six.

I am not sure if he can see enough of this to take it into the corner

pocket. We have said semi-Times Mark Selby

will never, ever give up. -- we have said many times.

His only hope is to keep chipping away these frames. Perhaps one in

might get frustrated. -- 18. He knows this frame is slipping away

rapidly. That has got a quick bounce of the

cushion. I don't know how the White has managed to get over there.

It looked a formality until the White finished in that position.

A lot of Ronnie O'Sullivan supporters in here this evening, but

this man has had a great reception from this knowledgeable crowd.

It is not all of it yet. Mark's lovely wife there.

It is saying a lot of his character, to hang in like that, he

will win the frame with this visit. Showing a lot of pride in his own

performance. Doesn't really matter about that

one. That break was 67, more than enough to give him the frame. He is

not finished just yet but still trails.

HAZEL IRVINE: How professional performance was that?

He is the consummate professional, just got on with it. A mountain to

climb but playing every frame as it is, added to his credit and

character that is what he is doing, carrying on. It is easy to see the

scoreboard and say I feel like going home but he is not doing that.

Your assessment of the way he is playing now as impaired to a

nervous, edgy start. To some degree he has settled down. He is a

professional on the circuit. It has not been a bad festive time of the

year for him. The final of the UK, this final. The bank manager will

quite like him. You have got to look at it in the long term. Defending

both titles, UK championship and this one, getting to the final in

both is a remarkable achievement. Just play one frame at a time as if

it is a final, that has all he has got to do.

He had to force it around the back of the black and the red balls.

He is just making sure he will not knock a red over the right corner

pocket when playing a safety shot. Come up a little bit short and he

has knocked a road towards that right corner pocket. Dash knocked

He might as well have had a go at the pot. He will not be anxious, but

he just wants to get this over and done with, he has still got to win

the frame. On my way to the commentary box I

saw Mark Selby practising. Shows you how much pride he has got

in his performance. He doesn't want to let go of this Masters title.

That is not hard enough for the red he intended. He has got a slightly

more difficult positional shot to play.

That is a tricky one he is faced with, he didn't catch that cannon

correctly. He might have covered everything

into the right corner. Warney could give himself a chance

he has been patiently waiting for. He has given it every care and

attention, he knows the importance of this shock. -- this shot.

Some of his break-building this week has been outstanding.

Thereafter his children, how proud are they going to be if he can clear

up. This is now turning into a good

chance to finish this match off. This packed audience thought they

were in for an early night. 8-1, it was an awful way back. Mark

Selby knew he couldn't make any more mistakes.

If he can cannon the top read of the three he will be perfect.

A quick glance to the scoreboard to see what he needs.

In his match against Stephen Maguire he clinched the final frame with a

century break. He will just want enough to win the match. The

defending champion has put up a great defence.

Seven frames he has lost this week, that is pretty impressive.

Mark Selby feels this is the end. This would be five Masters titles.

Mark coming to the table, an awful lot of work to do.

47 behind. Just one snooker to tie at the moment.

This time, a bit too hard. This red might go close to the opposite

pocket as he doubles it across, playing a safety shot.

I thought for a moment it was going to go over the right corner, but

that's fine. Got to be a little bit careful, Ronnie, because just one

snooker to tie needed. Well, Mark Selby, you put up a

fantastic defence of your Masters title. But this crowd, at the

Alexander Palace, they think that their favourite son is about to lift

his fifth title. Mark Selby comes forwards and congratulate Ronnie

O'Sullivan. He has been absolutely awesome all week. He gets a standing

ovation from this fantastic crowd at the Ally Pally. Ronnie O'Sullivan is

the Dafabet Masters champion 2014. He wins 10-4.

Ladies and gentlemen, what a fantastic final. A wonderful

performance from Ronnie O'Sullivan. First, let me grab a word with our

gallant runner-up. You slowed him down a little bit

tonight, but left yourself with too much to do? He started off great in

the first three frames. I had a couple shots at long balls, didn't

really get them. Ronnie is fantastic at taking his chances. I had a good

chance in the fourth round. If I cannot at the interval 3-1, I am

still half in the match. When he's in front to to steam roller you. How

would you rate the performance? First session he was very good,

whenever he got a chance he won the frame in one visit or made a good 50

or 60 to put me under pressure. The damage was done in the first

session. You need to be on top of your game from the word go, and I

wasn't. A fifth Masters final in seven years, that is some going.

Congratulations and commiserations to Mark Selby. Their a family

reunion, now. A fifth title in the Masters, you waited five years for

this one, how special is it to have these two lovely people here to

watch you do it? I just wanted to congratulate Mark on a brilliant

tournament. He is the most consistent player on the tournament.

He's had a great tournament, I'm just pleased to have won, these two

being here, my friends being here, it is just a miracle, I don't know

how I have won it this week. One of the most for the performances we

have seen at the Masters, how would you rate your performance? All winds

are good, coming into this week I was not sure how I was going to

perform. Played well, didn't drop many frames, playing Mark, it

doesn't matter how well you play, you always expect he will take you

all of the way. The scary thing is, sometimes the worst thing you can do

is build a lead against him, because he loves coming from a fine. I am

like, oh, no. I know it was 7-1, but you never feel you are anywhere near

the winning line. Other players give up. But he is made of metal. When

you think back 12 months ago, you were not here. I wonder how

important this Masters event... I enjoyed it better last year,

watching it on the telly, this is hard work. You didn't make it look

hard work. Was this tournament the catalyst in the decision to come

back for the World Championships? It is their fault why I am playing. I

hadn't been to no tournaments, I was quite enjoying not playing and

computing, my friends, I had to come and pick him up, CD tournament

staff, the players, I thought, I do miss it, you know? I don't miss the

stress, but I miss being amongst the lads and onto. You always get

fantastic support in London. There is always one, happily he had to go.

How much have you thrived on that support this week? They are

brilliant here. They are very loud, they get involved. You know, so,

they support all of the players well, really. Every player loves

playing in London. It's a fantastic atmosphere. We should have a view

more, it is easy for me to say, I don't have to drive as far. It is a

school night, not too late for these guys to get back home. Your

champion, The Rocket, the master. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome

Barry Hearn, chairman of world snooker. And from marketing, John

Croesus. First, your runner-up. What a run to the final. Receiving the

medal and a cheque for ?90,000, give it up for Mark Selby.

And the winner, receiving a cheque for ?200,000, the trophy and the

title Dafabet Masters Champion 2014, The Rocket, Ronnie O'Sullivan!

A fifth Masters title for O'Sullivan in a record 10th final. From what we

have seen, in the studio, what more can we expect from him this year if

that is the kind of form he is going to be able to produce constantly? I

think we can expect he will be a force to be reckoned with at the

World Championship. There is still a gap between him and the other

players in the game, even though there are some brilliant players

around. It does make you think, he is 30 years of age, still the

pre-eminent player in this particular sport. It is all the more

remarkable. At that age, one would expect him to be declining in his

powers at that point? There is no doubt that his running and fitness

regime is a massive help. But the boy is a genius. He is a cut above

everybody else. At his best, he is a long way clear of everybody else at

his best. That is not to say he is beatable. But when he produces his

best, he is a cut above everyone else. It is great to see Lily. When

we last saw her she was just a little tot. How would you rate this

Masters compared to some of the years we have sat and enjoy this?

Considering we expect brilliance from all players these days, I think

it's good for comebacks, entertainment. I talked about Mark

Selby taking it on the chin. What will he take out of this defence of

his title? He will be more determined because he knows he will

be playing Ronnie O'Sullivan along the line and he will be determined

to get a better start than he got today. He was very professional,

very honest, he will go and work on things. He was 9-3 down and still

practising. I can remember him getting beaten in Canada and he was

practising the next morning before the flight home. They come back for

more and he will do that. O'Sullivan makes an early bid for Sports

Personality Of The Year, let's be honest, he's in the running every

year. He is going to make a bid for three world titles in a row in

April. That is when we will be back. He won it back-to-back last year. He

goes to the Crucible as the double defending champion and starts his

opening match on Saturday the 19th of April. BBC Sport will cover his

every move. A big event for BBC Sport next weekend.

My thanks, as ever, for the frame winning contributions in analytical

terms from the team. We will leave you with the news that running is

the master again. Goodbye for now. -- Ronnie.